Decalogue, part 4 (Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17)

Scripture: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 (especially Deut. 16:1-8)

We are moving through Moses' delivery of the Law to Israel just before they finally enter the promised land. Each section generally corresponds to one of the Ten Commandments, in order, and today we've come to the section related to #4:

Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.


When we worked through the book of Hebrews, I wrote on what I think is the beautiful symbolism of the Sabbath. So, if you're interested in that, you can read it here.

Since I've already written that, let's focus today on why Deuteronomy chapters 14-16, which don't mention the Sabbath a single time, are considered to correspond with this commandment. And, focusing on chapter 16, I think the answer is "remembrance."

It's so easy to forget. And we don't just forget trivial things like where our keys are. We forget the moments of revelation God has given us. The times He's blessed us with mercy and comfort. The ways He's changed our hearts.

It's easy to forget.

And so, we work to remember. To remember God's amazing deliverance from Egypt, Israel observed the Passover. To remember that Law and righteousness come from Him, they observed the Festival of Weeks. To remember His providence and presence in the wilderness, they observed the Festival of Tabernacles.

To remember that God is the Creator of all things, almighty and free to do whatever He will... they observed the Sabbath.